Giguere began training camp on equal terms with playoff standoutIlya Bryzgalov after four straight seasons as the Ducks' No. 1
goalie.

It has led to a quick start.

Giguere stopped 34 shots for his 22nd career shutout in a 2-0
victory over the St. Louis Blues on Monday night. Chris Kunitz
scored two power-play goals for the Ducks, whose 3-0 start is the
best in franchise history.

Giguere won the Conn Smyth Trophy as MVP of the 2003 playoffs,
recording three consecutive shutouts against Minnesota in the
Western Conference finals and helping the Ducks come within one
victory of a Stanley Cup title. But he faltered early last spring
and Bryzgalov took over, recording three straight playoff shutouts
and coming up with the second-longest scoreless streak in
postseason history -- 31 minutes and 21 seconds longer than
Giguere's run.

"I don't compete against Bryz. He's my teammate," Giguere
said. "I hope when Bryz plays, he has success. I worry about my
game and the effort that I bring into the rink every day. That's
what my focus is on. That's the only thing I can control. I don't
know what's going to happen this year with me, as far as my future.
But right now it's here, and I want it to be here."

The Blues, who had the NHL's worst record last season, have
dropped a club-record 12 straight road games. They will take an 0-3
record into their home opener Thursday.

"I can't wait to get home," left wing Keith Tkachuk said after
playing in his 900th NHL regular-season game. "There's nothing
better than playing at home -- especially coming off a difficult
road trip like this. Our power play didn't do much, so that's very
disappointing. Obviously, we didn't get the results we wanted. But
it's a long season and hopefully it'll turn around soon."

Curtis Sanford made his season debut for St. Louis and stopped
32 shots in place of Manny Legace, who gave up nine goals in losses
to San Jose and Los Angeles.

"You look at the teams we played, and this was a tough swing,"
Blues coach Mike Kitchen said. "Anaheim has a lot of speed. They
attack you and get you on your heels. We had some chances in the
second period, but Giguere didn't give up too many rebounds."

The Blues, assessed 23 minor penalties in their first two games,
paid the price the first time they were short-handed against the
Ducks. Defenseman Eric Brewer was off for hooking when Kunitz
scored at 16:42 of the opening period on a deflection of Teemu
Selanne's one-timer from the top of the left circle. Chris Pronger
also got an assist for his first point with Anaheim.

Martin Rucinsky was serving a hooking penalty when Sanford
stopped Andy McDonald's shot from a sharp angle, and Kunitz
converted the rebound at the edge of the crease just 35 seconds
into the third period. Kunitz, playing left wing on the Ducks' No.
1 line with Selanne and McDonald, had two multigoal games last
season.

"Most of our goals have been on power plays so far, but that's
what happens when you start having good chemistry and guys are
working the puck around," Kunitz said. "Andy and Teemu are fast,
skilled players. They like to play give-and-go with the puck and
they aren't greedy players. They like to share the puck, so it
makes you a better player. And if you're in the right position, you
get the puck."

Selanne, who assisted on both goals, was formally presented with
the Bill Masterton Trophy in a pregame ceremony. The award is given
to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of
perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Game notes
The Blues scored an NHL-low 197 goals last season and were
shut out seven times while missing the playoffs for the first time
since 1979. ... Only twice in franchise history have the Blues
gotten off to a worse start. They lost their first six games in
1977-78, and their first four in 1987-88. ... Blues D Barret
Jackman was scratched because of a strained left knee. He missed
the final 19 games last season because of a broken jaw. ... The
Ducks are unbeaten in seven home games against St. Louis since a
3-2 loss on March 17, 2002.